The old court position is that any invalid law is void from the word go. So this is a change.
“The old court position is that any invalid law is void from the word go. So this is a change.”
They were stopped for a valid reason, using the law as it was understood at the time of the stop. You cannot hold a cop responsible for anticipating a future court decision about the wording in a law.
“Well, what is more distressing is that cops can use a “busted tail light” being a crime as an excuse for any search in the first place.”
A busted light IS a valid reason to stop in many states, and was in NC at the time of the stop. The search was asked for due to suspicious behavior. The accused gave consent, as any citizen has the right to do.
Post #45 from Rockingham explains it well, from the ruling.